Intersex Representation in Media

Much of media involving intersex representation focuses solely on the physicality of intersex bodies and shows nothing about the actual personalities and accomplishments of intersex characters. This focus can many times be internalized, and many of the issues commonly associated with the intersex experience are issues that we do have to unfortunately deal with. These frequently shown tragedies include but are not limited to; queerphobic actions and words, exclusion from society, medical body mutilation, gender confusion, and violence in many forms. Although much of the intersex community does experience these kinds of trauma, there is so much more to each and every one of us. That is what fails to be shown in the media nearly as much. Lack of education, accurate representation, and inclusion in the creation of media are a few reasons why this physical focus continues to exist. In my research, I read and watched virtually all media that includes an intersex character as well as the critique and reception for each. There are many stories of extreme trauma written about intersex people, but had no input from the intersex community nor a true story behind it. I then wrote four short stories that each have an intersex main character that focuses on their accomplishments and story as a main character, rather than just their sex identity. As an intersex woman, I still used my own experiences and knowledge of the community as a whole to include struggles that many intersex people go through, but in my stories that is not the only storyline for the protagonist. I hope to continue these stories into a more full collection in order to make them public for the purposes of educating those who are not familiar with intersex experiences, and providing familiar representation for those who are.

[FIRST SLIDE] Hello and welcome to my presentation for URSP Summer 2021. My project will be on intersex representation in media and my name is Margaret Stewart. [SECOND SLIDE] I have decided to do a literature review on all existing media that includes an intersex character as well as write four short stories of my own that each have an intersex protagonist. It is not only important to have accurate representation that one can look towards for familiarity, but also media that actually celebrates the identities that people can identify with. [THIRD SLIDE] I reviewed virtually all media with an intersex character. Some popular names include Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, House, Gender Revolution with Katie Couric, and Middlesex, a book that got quite popular in the early 2000’s. In reviewing this intersex collection of media and its reception, I found quite a few negative patterns. For one, there was constantly a heavy focus on the body as well as the idea that the intersex person needs to be fixed in some form. There was also a heavy focus on trauma and tragedies that intersex people have to go through. I also found that documentaries were the only place that intersex people were given space for input as well as able to tell their own true and accurate stories. [FOURTH SLIDE] It’s not to say that these traumas and tragedies that intersex people have to go through should not be reported or written about. But that should not be the only representation that exists in media. I would also argue that that level of trauma should be written about by the people who actually go through it. So as an intersex person, I decided to create my own contribution to intersex media in the form of short stories. I decided to do a range of genres in order to relate to more people and appeal to a wider audience. [FIFTH SLIDE] The first story is titled “Grey Space,” it is the drama story and it is split into four sections. It follows an intersex, lesbian woman who is living in northern Virginia, and she is pursuing a successful law career in DC. The first section, “Main Stage,” is a scene with her partner Sara in which they indulge in conversations about topics such as gender binary and existing outside of it, gender expression, and the concept of passing; especially when it comes to the main character’s anxieties around living up to the beauty standards for women in society. The sections “Letter” and “Grow” are primarily to expand the characterization of the protagonist beyond just her queer and intersex identities. Then the section “Haven” focuses primarily on the importance of having queer community, since she visits a lesbian bar in this scene, as well as the struggles of navigating in hook-up culture and feelings of self-worth in the world of romance as an intersex woman. This story primarily focuses on exploring topics that are related to the intersex experience by using dialogue with intimate partners. [SIXTH SLIDE] “Announcement” is a science fiction story placed in 2389. The main character finds that society is much more progressed in terms of social issues as well as gender and sexuality. There are far more gender neutral terms in this society. The idea is that the announcement for an upcoming birth is heavily-anticipated and the main character thinks that it’s about gender like a gender reveal. But that’s a thing of the past and the announcement is actually something that is far more important, which is whether or not the baby is healthy, rather than whether or not the parents will be able to pick and choose the baby’s gender. [SEVENTH SLIDE] “Zerua” is the super-hero story in which an intersex character named Zerua is expected to save the world, that is her destiny. She is guided by her mentor, Vyu. The biggest message from this story is that Vyu was the only person qualified to be able to pick a gender for Zerua at her birth, and that was only because Vyu is able to quite literally see into the future. The idea is that doctors today should not be picking genders for intersex children if they cannot literally see into the future. [EIGHTH SLIDE] “The Ways We are Tested” is the sports story. It follows a character who is intersex and a professional women’s basketball player headed to the 2024 Olympics. She is very paranoid throughout the entire story, and even has nightmares about being tested for hormones and getting herself or her team disqualified. In the end, nothing happens. The message being sent here is that intersex people have to think about testing, especially in the world of sports. Although we luckily see nothing tragic happen to the main character, she still has to go through these feelings throughout. In the end, the point of not having anything happen is to focus on the fact that she is an amazing basketball player and she won the gold medal. [NINTH SLIDE] I am hoping to continue this collection of short stories for the purpose of educating those who are not familiar with intersex experiences. Providing representation for those who are familiar with the intersex experience or might be intersex themselves. As well as providing more creation for an intersex person myself to produce intersex media. Thank you.